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André van Zyl
Public Health Data Analytics Professional
André is a public health data analytics professional with approximately ten years of work experience in research, technology, analytics, public health, behavioral health, and education. His current career interests revolve around digital analytics and data science, electronic data acquisition, epidemiology, and monitoring and evaluation. As a native South African, he is used to working in resource-limited settings where meeting objectives and timeline goals require collaboration and creativity. He has been working on US COVID-19 projects since March 2020. Prior to his work on COVID-19 projects, he has been responsible for monitoring and managing data collection for a research project with 27 sites in three South African provinces.
Professional Experience
Independent Contractor
Present - June 2020
- Work in application development and configuration for US COVID-19 contact tracing partners using the CommCare platform.
- Quality assurance.
- Create technical documentation of application systems, requirements clarification, and LOE estimates, and provide additional clarity to clients about the system.
- Utilize Asana for project communication and management.
- Conduct data literacy capacity building sessions with our partners.
Consultant
April 2020 - March 2020
- Worked with the REDCap Team on the University Health Service’s data and analytics efforts in the COVID-19 surveillance and outbreak response.
- Utilized Google Docs and Google Sheets for project communication and management.
- Aided in defining objectives and priorities.
- Analyzed and reported on operational data.
- Exported and transformed REDCap data using the RStudio programming environment to ensure clinicians and administrators have timely access to actionable data.
- Advised on business continuity planning and expansion.
- Identified and engaged with service providers who could assist with system improvements.
Data Manager
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
June 2020 - Sep 2017
- Drafted the data management section of the protocol.
- Led project planning and implementation related to data collection and management.
- Developed the mobile data collection application on the CommCare platform.
- Configured the short text messaging system used to communicate with participants.
- Ensured that the mobile data collection application met the research project’s protocol specifications and operational needs.
- Contributed to questionnaire improvement and translation to CommCare.
- Developed video recordings, presentations, and documents used to train field staff.
- Trained coordinators and fieldworkers on using Android OS, internet communication tools, the data collection application, and questionnaire completion.
- Created project performance reports and visual data representations using RStudio. My resume is an example of such a report written in RStudio.
- Refined the mobile data collection application based on feedback from the research team, the project manager, the coordinators, and the team working at the clinics.
- Provided local and remote technical and data collection support to 27 fieldworkers and three project coordinators.
- Managed the data collection operations with the help of RStudio, the CommCare Data Export Tool, WhatsApp, and the on-the-ground help of the project manager.
- Ensured that the researchers were blinded.
- Generated detailed Microsoft Word reports in RStudio, highlighting outliers and inconsistencies in the data.
- Programmatically cleaned data based on the feedback from the districts.
- Programmatically generated neatly structured and labeled STATA data files from our research data stored on a local PostgreSQL server.
Title of the research: ImPROving TB outcomes by modifying LIFE-style behaviours through a brief motivational intervention followed by short text messages (ProLife): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Data Administrator
The Foundation for Professional Development
Sep 2017 - Sep 2016
- Supported project planning and implementation.
- Supervised on-site data collection at participating research clinics.
- Conducted literature reviews.
- Supported data cleaning.
- Assisted with budgeting and procurement of research supplies.
- Contributed to questionnaire improvement and translation.
- Provided training to numerators.
- Co-authored journal article on mental health care integration.
Research Assistant
Sep 2016 - Mar 2016
Title of the research: Addressing tobacco smoking and drinking to improve TB treatment outcomes in South Africa: a feasibility study of the “ProLife” programme
Support Consultant
May 2016 - Jan 2014
- Utilized Google Docs, Google Sheets, and software developers’ project management tools.
- Supported the implementation of the ITSI eLearning platform in South African schools.
- Trained teachers and learners on how to use the ITSI eLearning platform.
- Provided quality assurance on electronic textbooks.
- Developed training material.
- Provided helpdesk support.
- Tested the ITSI eLearning platform and recommended product improvements.
- Advised the software development team on product improvements based on feedback from our clients.
Behavioral Therapist
Zizi Centre for Children with Autism
Jul 2014 - Feb 2014
- Provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children with developmental disorders.
Support Counselor
Harmony Addiction and Psychiatric Care
- Provided supervision and support to clients at the facility.
Jul 2013 - Jan 2013
Research Assistant
Nelson Mandela University Department of Nursing
Jul 2012 - Oct 2011
Title of the research: Help-seeking behaviour, barriers to care and experiences of care among persons with depression in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Aided in questionnaire improvement.
- Performed informed consent and conducted structured interviews with participants to collect research data.
Internet Service Provider
Sole Proprietor
Jun 2008 - Jul 2005
- Started a small business providing WiFi internet access to students.
Education
University of Pretoria
Master of Public Health
2016
Thesis: Health education resources available to high school Life Orientation educators in Tshwane, South Africa.
Modules:
- Biostatistics
- Communication in Health
- Disease Control
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Management
- Health Promotion
- Human Nutrition and Public Health
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Project Management in Healthcare
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Social Determinants
Publications
Striving for Equity: Life Orientation Resources in South African High Schools
Accepted for publication in the May 2021 issue of the South African Journal of Education
N/A
2021
André van Zyl, Elizabeth M. Webb, Jaqueline E. Wolvaardt
Mixed-methods evaluation of mental healthcare integration into tuberculosis and maternal-child healthcare services of four South African districts.
BMC Health Services Research volume 19, Article number: 83 (2019)
N/A
2019
Kathryn L. Lovero, Samantha L. Lammie, André van Zyl, Sharon N. Paul, Phuti Ngwepe, Jennifer J. Mootz, Catherine Carlson, Annika C. Sweetland, Rachel C. Shelton, Milton L. Wainberg & Andrew Medina-Marino
Volunteer Experience
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Health Information and Technology Special Interest Group Chair
Jun 2018 - Mar 2016
Junior Public Health Association of South Africa (JuPHASA) Secretary
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA)
Sep 2016 - Oct 2015
Lay counselor
South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO)
Nov 2012 - Mar 2012
Professional Development Courses
Counselor and Support Group Facilitator Training
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group
2013
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (SIT TESOL)
2012